Sheetal Koul: A confident woman-From journey of Rejection to Perfection
"I will win not immediately, but definitely"
I am Sheetal Koul, a Nurse Educator and Wellness Officer at Fortis La Femme Hospital, GK-II, New Delhi. I am also a mother of two angels, a Madhubani artist, a choreographer, art and craft enthusiastic and a creator of thematic dresses for ramp walks.
My journey began in a slum area, and my place of birth often became a label that followed me throughout life. I faced rejection at several stages simply because of my background. I studied in a government school and began learning the english alphabet only in Class 6, which reflects the condition of my early education. Due to family responsibilities, especially caring for my ailing grandmother, I had to leave regular schooling and complete my 10th and 12th through NIOS. Even this became a stigma, as many questioned the credibility of my education.
My parents worked in a private hospital for more than 30 years. My father retired as an ambulance driver and my mother as a clerk. Despite dedicating over two decades of service, their final last salaries were only 13,000 each, which was insufficient to support the education and career aspirations of three children. Their hard work instilled in me the true meaning of dignity, resilience, and perseverance.
As a child, I wanted to learn Bharatanatyam. However, when I realized the financial burden it would place on my mother, I quietly gave up that dream. Instead, I began taking tuition classes and earning 1,500 per month. From that income, I also provided free tuition to children in my slum area.
One painful incident in Class 7 changed my life. During a school dance and singing program, my music teacher publicly scolded me, held my hand, and threw me into the playground because I was not performing well. That experience deeply hurt me, but it also led me to make a promise to myself: one day, I would perform confidently on stage. Today, I am a choreographer and continue to inspire others through dance.
My love for art also began in childhood. Although my early drawings were imperfect, my mother always encouraged me. When one of my paintings was published in Punjab Kesari, my father proudly showed the newspaper to everyone. That moment inspired me to pursue art more seriously, and today I am a Madhubani artist.
Professionally, I also faced doubt and discouragement. When I expressed my desire to continue my education, I was once told, "Tu dhang se GNM diploma to kar le, graduation kya karegi." Instead of being discouraged, I chose to prove myself through education. I completed my graduation and post-graduation, earned a Master's degree in Mental Health Nursing from Jamia Hamdard, and an MBA in HR from Annamalai University.
